Establishing a retina observation clinic (ROC) effectively streamlines the monitoring of stable patients with early diabetic retinopathy and early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a poster presented at AAO 2024.
At the study ROC, patients underwent intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity assessments, while trained technicians performed dilated eye exams to obtain retinal images and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. These technicians were responsible for comparing current images with previous ones to identify and escalate any urgent cases. All cases were subsequently reviewed remotely and finalized by specialists.
From June 2020 to December 2023, the clinic served 6,565 patients, accounting for 12,305 visits, with over half (52.15%) continuing their monitoring at the ROC. The clinic experienced a steady increase in visit volume, starting with 1,057 visits in 2020, which doubled to 2,345 in 2021. The following year saw a 35% rise to 3,793 visits, while 2023 recorded a moderated growth of 9%, reaching 4,151 visits. The referral rate declined over the years, from 20% in 2020 to 12% in 2023.
The researchers concluded that the ROC represents an effective strategy to manage patient care in overcrowded clinics.
Reference
Jun Lee, L, et al. Retina Observation Clinic as an Alternative Model of Care Delivery. Poster presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting; October 2024; Chicago.
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